Kyle Parker talks to media for the first time since his benching

In a matter of weeks Kyle Parker has gone from Clemson hero to whipping boy

Kyle Parker spoke to the media Tuesday to address a variety of topics, including why he skipped out on talking to the media, his alleged altercation with Dabo Swinney and if he is going to remain on the team during the bowl game.

Parker opened by addressing why he opted not to speak with the media following the Tigers 29-7 loss to USC Saturday night.

“First of all I want to apologize I didn’t come and talk to anyone after the game,” Parker said. To be quite honest with you, I felt I couldn’t have said anything to make the situation any better. I thought the questions I was going to get asked and the explanations that I was feeling at the time wouldn’t have done anyone justice or really done good for anyone, including myself.”

Parker also admitted he had a verbal confrontation with Swinney after he was pulled out of the game following a third quarter interception.

“There was a little altercation,” Parker said. “I didn’t think it was too big of a deal. I have to deal with it. I am the one who has to fault it. Obviously I’m the player, he’s the coach and what he says goes.”

“I’m not a quitter. I am not going to walk away from this. Even if I wasn’t going to get a snap in the bowl game I’d still be around because that is who I am. Obviously things haven’t gone the way that I have wanted them to or anyone has wanted them to. With that being said I don’t think that’s an excuse for me moving on.”

As for Parker’s academic status, which was questioned by a Clemson fan website Monday, it looks like that report may have been a little off base.

“I’ve been academically fine every single semester I’ve been here, Parker said. Then Parker turned and looked directly at the publisher of the site that posted the report on his academic status and said, “I guess you are going to have to ask those guys because [I’m] probably one of the first guys ever to be declared academically ineligible before the semester is even over. I guess you can add that one to the list of other things I’ve accomplished.”

And Boom goes the dynamite.

Give Parker credit for stepping up and facing the music, albeit a couple of days late, to address these issues. Parker undoubtedly is regretting returning for another season of football, especially since it cost him six to seven figures in his bank account.

If anything else, Parker deserves credit for his loyalty. It was loyalty that brought him back to Clemson to begin with. It is that same loyalty that is going to keep him around for a bowl game in which he might not play.

We know Parker is a loyal guy. Too bad the same can’t be said for some of the so-called Clemson fans trying to tear him apart.